Ten New Affordable Homes Planned For Former Newport Social Services Site

Plans to replace a former social services building with ten new affordable homes are set to go before the Isle of Wight Council’s planning committee today (Tuesday, November 25).

Councillors will consider an outline application from County Hall to demolish the disused Social Services Headquarters at 17 Fairlee Road, Newport, and build a single block of “small and affordable” two-bedroom apartments.

Planning officers are recommending the scheme is conditionally approved, subject to a legal agreement securing 100% on-site affordable housing and a contribution towards Solent Special Protection Area habitat mitigation.

In their report ahead of the meeting, officers say the loss of the existing building would be outweighed by the “substantial social benefits” of delivering affordable homes, alongside “moderate economic and environmental benefits”.

The economic advantages include providing more energy-efficient housing, reducing future energy costs, and supporting local construction jobs.

Environmental benefits noted in the report include the potential to enhance landscaping and biodiversity on the site.

According to a statement from the council, the current building is at risk of falling into disrepair and already has “ongoing issues” with dry rot.

The site forms part of around 60 hectares of brownfield land identified for redevelopment across the Island.

As it is council-owned, the authority plans to use Brownfield Land Release Funding to clear the site.

The council says the fund helps bring unused land back into use — including empty buildings, former car parks and industrial plots — which can otherwise become costly to prepare and remain long-term eyesores.

It adds that the proposed scheme “does not seek to overpopulate the site”, but aims to provide much-needed housing with suitable parking, bike storage and communal outdoor space.

The planning committee meets at County Hall at 4pm tomorrow.